Z-Core
by riciJak
Z-Core is a NeoForge management library by riciJak that groups related blocks into variant families so players can cycle through them quickly while building.
What it does
Z-Core provides a lightweight system for managing block variants. Related blocks are grouped into families, and a selection menu lets a player switch between the members of a family with the mouse wheel or with Alt and the scroll wheel. Holding a supported block shows a large render preview of the variant currently selected, and a Reset Variant control returns the choice to the default.
Inventory cycling extends the same selection to the player's inventory screen. The mod is built for building work, where changing between stone, slab, stair or wall variants of the same material is a frequent action. BetterBlockZ uses Z-Core as its variant layer, and BetterBlockZ: DecorZ is also listed as dependent on it, so both need Z-Core installed to work.
The project is published for NeoForge only, with builds for 26.1.2. Clients and servers both need it, since the environment is client and server. The code is under All rights reserved and is not open source. The README lists a section of planned features and a note on which BetterBlockZ release is currently supported.
Key features
Variant cycling
Blocks in the same family can be cycled with the mouse wheel, with a fast selection menu for choosing among them.
Large render preview
Holding a supported block displays a large preview of the variant that is currently selected.
Reset Variant control
A dedicated control returns the selected block variant to its default state.
Inventory cycling
The same variant selection works from the inventory screen, so the choice does not depend on the world view.
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.
Required by 2 mods
Use cases
Who it’s for: Builders and modpack authors who work with grouped decorative blocks on NeoForge 26.1.2, and players who already use BetterBlockZ or its DecorZ companion.
How it compares
Trade Choice is a Fabric and NeoForge client-side mod for 26.2 and is open source under the MIT License, so it does not overlap with Z-Core's variant system. Selectweaks is a client-side NeoForge mod for 1.21.4 – 1.21.5 under All rights reserved. Craft Heavy Core is a server-side NeoForge mod for 1.21.8, so it runs on a server alone and needs nothing from players.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z-Core | NeoForge | 26.1.2 | Client and server | 2026-08-01 |
| Trade Choice | Fabric and NeoForge | 26.2 | Client-side only | 2026-07-22 |
| Selectweaks | NeoForge | 1.21.4 – 1.21.5 | Client-side only | 2025-04-18 |
| Craft Heavy Core | NeoForge | 1.21.8 | Server-side only | 2026-02-25 |
Questions
Does Z-Core need a server install?
Which loader does Z-Core support?
Which mods depend on Z-Core?
In the catalog
Z-Core is one of 8,016 Management mods on ModsFinder, and one of 2,689 Management mods for NeoForge. 15,189 mods support Minecraft 26.1.2.
More from riciJak
Similar mods
What the author says
Lightweight system for managing block variants. Groups related blocks into families and adds a selection menu with mouse wheel cycling for fast switching while building. Planned features: - Large block render preview - Reset Variant control - Inventory cycling
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/z-core
- Owner
- riciJak
- Published
- 2026-05-03
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2026-08-01
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15